Prayers of Adoration & Confession

with Romans 8:12-25, offered by Rev (Deac) Fiona Bottcher

12 So then, brothers and sisters,* we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.

Loving God, we are your children
You shape our living with your everlasting love
You turn our attention to the wonders of the world
The joy of children, the turning of the seasons.

15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba!*Father!’ 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness* with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

Christ our Saviour, we are joint heirs with you
You shape our living with your compassion
You call us out to work for justice and freedom
To walk alongside the unloved and lonely.

18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

Spirit of all joy, we wait with you
You shape our living with hope
You call us to bear witness to suffering
And to advocate for renewal for all creation.

Loving God, we confess that in this time of isolation and separation
our attention is often turned inwards.  Open our eyes again today.
Christ our Saviour, we confess that our hearts are sad, our souls weary
as we work together and yet separately in your name.  Breathe on us today.
Spirit of all joy, we confess that the suffering of creation is overwhelming
And so we grieve and work for change.  Inspire with us hope for renewal today.
Amen

22We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labour pains until now; 23and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in* hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Come children of God, let us join in hope together
For we can be confident that
in the name of Christ, our risen Saviour
our sins are forgiven.
Thanks be God.  Amen

Saide Cameron, offered for worship 19/07/2020, Pentecost 7A

Prayers of the people

Loving God you call us to bear witness to the groaning of creation.
We hear, we feel, we see the damage done to this world, our home.
We pray for all the creatures of the earth displaced from their habitats.
For people who know and love the land and are yet ignored.
For children crying out for a future where creation is loved and nurtured.
We give thanks for people who hear the groaning and take action.
For emerging hope as calls for climate justice are heeded.

Risen Christ you call us to walk alongside people in need.
We pray for the church, your body at work in so many creative ways
For church leaders throughout the world shining a beacon of hope
For Deidre our President, Denise our Moderator
Jeanne, Linley, Narelle and Heather our Presbytery Ministry Team
For all who offer leadership in congregations here and beyond.
We give thanks for the gifts and graces, skills and generosity
Of all who speak and lead in your name.  Lead us all by your Spirit.

Spirit God you meet us in the in-between places.
We pray for people in communities near and far who exist in in-between places
For refugees and asylum seekers, far from their homelands and not home yet.
For First Nations people, living apart from the land, yearning to return.
For so many people living alone amidst the pandemic, longing for connection.
We give thanks for compassion offered, hospitality shared,
For creativity blossoming in the shadows of physically separated living.  Amen

Saide Cameron, offered for worship by Ray Cameron, 19/07/2020, Pentecost 7A